Information about the partnership
Germany is one of Tunisia’s most important trading partners within the EU. The Partnering in Business with Germany programme specifically promotes cooperation between Tunisian and German companies – with the service sector and industry playing a key role. Tunisia’s proximity to Germany also creates ideal conditions for business contacts and B2B.
Tunisia’s economy is largely characterised by its strategic location in relation to the EU. The level of education, competitive wages and good infrastructure also contribute to the country’s attractiveness for cooperation.
Focus Areas and Cooperation Potentials of Tunisia
Germany is Tunisia’s third most important trading partner. Germany’s trade balance with Tunisia has traditionally been negative. The reason for this is that Tunisia is closely integrated into the German supply chains, especially in the motorised vehicle supply industry and garment manufacturing. Almost all German automotive suppliers are currently expanding their production in the country. Automotive manufacturers are also investing in research and development on the ground. Tunisia has strategic importance for Germany as a gateway to the French-speaking African countries: as a potential trade hub, and the two countries share many interests in innovative fields such as Industrie 4.0, renewables, pharmaceuticals, the circular economy and logistic. An energy partnership between Germany and Tunisia and a green hydrogen business alliance are in place. The country also has a young population and highly qualified workers.
Business in Tunisia – Opportunities for German Companies
Tunisia’s economy is relatively diversified and remains an attractive industrial location. The strongest sector is the mechanical engineering and electronics industry, in particular the manufacture of automotive suppliers, followed by the food industry, agriculture and the clothing industry. The service sector is benefiting particularly from structural change, with IT services playing an increasingly important role, as is the tourism sector.
Trade relations between Germany and Tunisia are close and diverse. Germany is one of Tunisia’s most important trading partners worldwide. Cooperation extends to various sectors, including mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and renewable energies.
There is considerable potential for German companies to make better use of Tunisia’s advantages for labour-intensive industries and IT services. Furthermore, Tunisia could transition from being an energy importer to an exporter within the next few years by producing renewable energies and green hydrogen. This creates business opportunities for German SMEs specialising in this field.
Companies that produce for export and whose capital is held by foreigners or Tunisians resident in Tunisia but not domiciled there can benefit from numerous advantages under the offshore regime, including tax relief. Introduced in the 1970s, this regulation has favoured the establishment of many foreign companies, including German ones.
Germany is the third most important buyer of Tunisian goods. German imports traditionally exceed exports. This is due to Tunisia’s strong integration into German supply chains, particularly in the automotive industry and clothing production.
Industry Focus and Participant Profiles
Partnering in Business with Germany is open to executives from all sectors. Tunisian executives from the sectors of food, textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT and mechanical engineering are taking part in the programme. Going forward, a stronger focus is to be placed on the sectors of renewable energy and energy efficiency (wind and solar, green hydrogen), the circular economy, waste management, robotics/Industrie 4.0. In light of recent climate action efforts and already existing cooperation projects on hydrogen, the outlook for low-carbon sectors is bright.
News
Conferences on cooperation with Africa in Kiel and Hanover
In June 2025, the Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH), the chambers of commerce in northern Germany and the Africa Business Network (GTAI) hosted networking events for local SMEs in Kiel and Hanover. Partnering in Business with Germany took the opportunity to make the programme better known in this region.
Strong together: Tunisia and Germany celebrate a decade of successful cooperation
In mid-May, two high-ranking events strengthened German-Tunisian cooperation: the 10th anniversary event of Partnering in Business with Germany and the 1st session of the steering committee to plan future activities in the context of the programme. The Tunisian Minister of Industry, Mining and Energy (MIME), Fatma Thabet Chiboub, and representatives of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), MIME and the Chamber of Commerce of Tunisia and 70 programme alumni celebrated the programme’s success in Tunis.
Partnering in Business with Germany at BIOFACH 2025: successful networking for German SMEs
With 35,000 visitors from 140 countries and more than 2,000 exhibitors, BIOFACH is the world’s leading trade fair for organic food and sustainable agriculture. It is thus an ideal platform to present the services offered by the foreign trade and investment promotion instrument Partnering in Business with Germany (PG) to German and international companies and foster the networking with German SMEs in a targeted manner.
Tunisia: New vigour for cooperation
In early October, representatives from the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) met with Manuel Palz, deputy head of division for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action’s Partnering in Business with Germany programme, in Tunis to plan future programme activities. In addition, talks were held with the German Embassy and the German-Tunisian Chamber of Industry and Commerce regarding upcoming programme activities.
